Ansh Kumar Dvivedi,
Vishal Singhal,
Abstract
The rapid expansion of construction, mining, and stone-processing industries has led to the large-scale generation of stone waste materials such as marble powder, granite slurry, quarry fines, and sandstone residues. The indiscriminate disposal of these wastes poses serious environmental concerns, including land degradation, dust pollution, and contamination of surface and groundwater resources. At the same time, weak and problematic soils continue to present major challenges in geotechnical engineering applications, particularly in the construction of foundations, embankments, retaining structures, and pavement subgrades. Improving the engineering properties of such soils in a cost-effective and sustainable manner remains a critical research priority. In this context, the utilization of stone waste materials as soil stabilizers has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional chemical stabilizers such as cement and lime. Stone wastes exhibit favorable physical and mineralogical characteristics that contribute to enhanced soil strength, reduced plasticity, improved compaction behavior, and increased bearing capacity. This review critically examines existing experimental and field studies on the use of stone waste for soil stabilization, with emphasis on strength development, durability performance, and microstructural modification mechanisms. Additionally, the environmental and economic benefits associated with waste reuse, including reduced carbon emissions and material costs, are discussed. Practical applications and limitations of stone waste–based soil stabilization are also highlighted, providing guidance for large-scale implementation. The review demonstrates that stone waste utilization offers a sustainable and technically viable solution for soil improvement while supporting circular economy principles in geotechnical engineering practice
Keywords: California Bearing Ratio (CBR), soil stabilization, stone waste, strength improvement, sustainable geotechnics
[This article belongs to Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ]
Ansh Kumar Dvivedi, Vishal Singhal. Stone Waste as a Soil Stabilizer. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 2026; 13(01):69-74.
Ansh Kumar Dvivedi, Vishal Singhal. Stone Waste as a Soil Stabilizer. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 2026; 13(01):69-74. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joge/article=2026/view=241529
References
- Luo, I. H. Uddin, Q. u. Rehman, A. Shafaq, (2024). “Marble Powder as a Soil Stabilizer: An Experimental Investigation of the Geotechnical Properties and Unconfined Compressive Strength Analysis,” Materials, 17(5), 1208. DOI: 10.3390/ma17051208.
- H. A. Shah, U. Hussain, Q. u. Rehman, A. Saeed, A. Memon, M. Ali, (2022). “Laboratory and In Situ Stabilization of Compacted Clay through Granite Waste Powder,” Sustainability, 14(21), 14459. DOI: 10.3390/su142114459.
- Waheed, M. U. Arshid, R. A. Khalid, S. S. Gardezi, (2021). “Soil Improvement Using Waste Marble Dust for Sustainable Development,” Civil Engineering Journal, 7(9). DOI: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091746.
- Ismail Zorluer, Süleyman Gücek, (2020). “The Usability of Industrial Wastes on Soil Stabilization,” Revista de la Construcción (RDLC), 19(1), pp. 80-89. DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.19.1.80-89.
- Ramanjaneyulu, N. Darga Kumar, (2024). “Effect of Marble Dust on UCS and CBR of Gypsum Stabilized Clay,” Civil Engineering and Architecture, 12(2), pp. 685-696. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120203.
- Mohammadi, M. Sadeghi, M. Mousavi, A. Motahari, (2023). “Laboratory Testing and Analysis of Clay Soil Stabilization Using Waste Marble Powder,” Applied Sciences, 13(16), 9274. DOI: 10.3390/app13169274.
- T. Etim, O. L. Arokoyu, O. Kehinde, (2025). “Strength Development and Durability of Cement- Stabilized Tropical Clay–Quarry Dust Mixtures for Pavement Construction,” Sustainability, 17(19), 8825. DOI: 10.3390/su17198825.
- IS 2720 (Part 10): 1991. Determination of Unconfined Compressive Strength. Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
- IS 2720 (Part 16): 1987. Laboratory Determination of CBR. BIS, New Delhi
- Edil, T. B. (2015). Sustainable use of industrial by-products in geotechnical engineering. Geo-Congress Proceedings, ASCE.
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 02/02/2026 |
| Accepted | 10/02/2026 |
| Published | 13/02/2026 |
| Publication Time | 11 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics